Colonel César de la Cruz, commander of the Hunters’ battalion, on Sunday revealed that rebels of the Armed Revolutionary Forces of Colombia (FARC), tried to kidnap Bishop Francisco Javier Munera of San Vicente del Caguan, who planned to travel in the area.
The rebels knew the bishop was on his way to confirm a group of young people in Florencia, said the officer. He said the plan was foiled after an FARC call was intercepted.
Last Thursday, armed groups killed two priests in separate incidents.
Over the past 18 years, armed groups in Colombia have killed 47 priests and two bishops. Over the past decade, the internal conflict has claimed 40,000 lives.
